Malcolm Baldrige Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Malcolm Baldrige Jr.
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| 26th United States Secretary of Commerce | |
| In office January 20, 1981 – July 25, 1987 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Philip Klutznick |
| Succeeded by | William Verity |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Howard Malcolm Baldrige Jr.
October 4, 1922 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Died | July 25, 1987 (aged 64) Walnut Creek, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | North Cemetery in Woodbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Relations | Letitia Baldrige |
| Parent | Howard Malcolm Baldrige, Sr. (father) |
| Alma mater | Yale University |
| Occupation | Foundryman, Rodeo team roper, businessman |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Howard Malcolm "Mac" Baldrige Jr. (born October 4, 1922 – died July 25, 1987) was an American businessman. He was a very important person in the United States government. From 1981 until he passed away in 1987, he was the United States Secretary of Commerce. This means he was in charge of helping American businesses and trade. He was also a talented rodeo cowboy and was even added to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1988.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Career of Malcolm Baldrige
Malcolm Baldrige Jr. was born on October 4, 1922, in Omaha, Nebraska. His father, H. Malcolm Baldrige, Sr., was a congressman from Nebraska. Malcolm had a brother, Robert, and a sister, Letitia Baldrige.
He went to The Hotchkiss School and then to Yale University. At Yale, he was part of a group called Delta Kappa Epsilon.
Baldrige started working in factories in 1947. He began as a worker in an iron company in Connecticut. By 1960, he had worked his way up to become the president of that company. During World War II, Baldrige served as a Captain in the 27th Infantry Division. He fought in battles in the Pacific region. On March 31, 1951, Baldrige married Margaret "Midge" Trowbridge Murray. They had two daughters together.
Before joining the President's team, Baldrige was the head of a company called Scovill, Inc. This company was based in Waterbury, Connecticut. He joined Scovill in 1962. He helped change the company from one that made brass into a successful business that made many different products. These products included things for homes, consumers, and industries.
Malcolm Baldrige as Secretary of Commerce
President-elect Ronald Reagan chose Baldrige to be the Secretary of Commerce on December 11, 1980. The United States Senate approved him on January 22, 1981. He served in this important role from January 20, 1981, until July 25, 1987. He was one of the longest-serving Secretaries of Commerce, serving for six years.
During his time as Secretary, Baldrige helped create and carry out the government's trade policies. He worked to solve problems with sharing technology with countries like China and India. Baldrige also held important talks with the Soviet Union. These were the first such talks in seven years. They helped American companies gain more access to the Soviet market. Many world leaders respected him greatly.
Baldrige led the effort to pass the Export Trading Company Act of 1982. This law helped American companies sell their products to other countries. The President also asked him to lead a special team called the Trade Strike Force. This team looked for unfair trading practices. They also suggested ways to stop these practices. He was a leader in changing the nation's antitrust laws. These laws make sure businesses compete fairly.
Baldrige was known for his excellent management skills. He helped make the government more efficient and effective. In the Commerce Department, he cut the budget by more than 30%. He also reduced the number of administrative staff by 25%.
In 1984, the U.S. Department of Commerce published a book. It was called "How Plain English Works for Business, Twelve Case Studies." Baldrige wrote the introduction for this book. It showed how complicated legal or government language could be made simpler. For example, a complex insurance sentence like "While this policy has a loan value, the owner may obtain an advance from XYZ Company upon assignment of the policy as sole security" was simplified to "You can get a loan from us on your policy while it has a loan value. The policy can be the sole security for the loan."
Baldrige wrote in his introduction that "Talking or writing in plain English is a challenge." He thanked the companies and groups that shared their stories in the book.
Even as a boy, Baldrige worked as a ranch hand. He also won several awards as a professional team roper in rodeo competitions. In 1981, he was named the Rodeo Man of the Year by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. In 1984, he was added to the Hall of Great Westerners. This is part of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Baldrige once appeared on a TV game show called To Tell the Truth. He pretended to be a rodeo champion named Dean Oliver. In 1988, he was honored by being added to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This is the highest honor in rodeo.
Death and Lasting Impact
Secretary of Commerce Baldrige died on July 25, 1987, in Northern California. He was in a rodeo accident while taking part in a calf-roping competition. The horse he was riding fell on him. This happened at the Jack Roddy Ranch in Brentwood, California. After the accident, Baldrige was flown to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek, California. However, his internal injuries were too serious. Baldrige was buried in North Cemetery in Woodbury, Connecticut.
His time as Secretary of Commerce was one of the longest in history. He and Ron Brown are the only two Secretaries who died while still in office. Many people remember Baldrige as a very interesting and well-liked Secretary of Commerce.
Baldrige strongly believed in good quality management. He thought it was important for his country's success. He was personally involved in creating the Quality Improvement Act of 1987. This law helped improve product quality. Because of his efforts, Congress named an annual award after him. This award, called the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, recognizes excellent product quality.
After Baldrige's death, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) honored him. On March 1, 1988, they renamed one of their oceanographic research ships after him. The ship, formerly called NOAAS Researcher, became NOAAS Malcolm Baldrige (R 103).
On October 17, 1988, President Ronald Reagan gave Baldrige the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is a very high honor, given after his death.
Awards and Honors
- 1969 – Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement
- 1981 – Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's Rodeo Man of the Year
- 1984 – Inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- 1987 – The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and Program were named in his honor by Congress
- 1988 – Inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame
- 1988 – The research ship NOAAS Researcher (R 103) was renamed NOAAS Malcolm Baldrige (R 103)
- 1988 – Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (posthumously, meaning after his death)
Images for kids
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Malcolm Baldrige Jr.
See also
In Spanish: Malcolm Baldrige para niños
